"Nana was a love! We have enjoyed her warmth, kindness and stories from a time we would have otherwise, only read about in books! She was a connection for us to generations of family. Nana taught our children that with age, you gain real insight into life and the process of aging is a wonderfully natural way to unfold that insight, into eagerly awaiting little ears. At 104, she enthusiastically gypsied through life, visiting all of her loved ones. This was an incredible gift for us. Just last weekend, we were sitting across from each other, in a coffee shop, discussing the difficulties of laundering, particularly her husbands work shirts, in the early years of her marriage. She still engaged in horseplay with the kids and joked with bellybusting laughter. Our children treated her like she was a young, strong woman, because that was how they saw her. She was abundantly positive with them! Her grace and boundless patience are true characteristics of a "great" woman...and that she was.
Xxoo, forever to our spunky Nana! Kelly
"

Danielle Fath

December 7th, 2012

"I am so very sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Nana. Growing up as a neighbor to the Albanese family for a large part of my life, I would see Nana most of the time she came to visit in Flemington. She was always happy and so active. A wonderful lady. "

Bill Belloli

(son-in-law)

December 7th, 2012

"Mom, I know you can hear me, so here goes: "You're much, too much, and oh too very, very, to ever be, in Webster's Dictionary, and so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds, to tell you that you're marvelous, too mar-vel-ous for w-o-r-d-s!" I love you."

margaret, john ceresa

(dear friends)

December 8th, 2012

"Having been so proud of your longevity for so long we would share your pictures with family and friends. They were so amazed by just the way you looked at your age. And then we would inspire them with stories of you and yours. You were such a kind and giving soul who made us feel special each and every time we saw you and though we were miles apart you were near and dear to our hearts. A perfect role model for your very loving and devoted family as well as us all. We will miss you very much! With deepest admiration, The Ceresa family"

Paula Albanese Brotman

(granddaughter)

December 8th, 2012

"From my father-in-law, Larry Brotman:

Nana was one of my favorite people in your family. I loved her dearly. We had spoken often. You have lost a wonderful and brilliant grandmother, and Joan and I appreciate her gifts of life to everyone who she came in contact with. You are a very lucky granddaughter to have known her for so long. You will always remember her wonderful smile, keen intellect, her fine sense of humor, and above all, her love of her family. Your Mom and Marian, your brothers and sisters, your children, all are much better people because of Nana. Nana was a "live wire" at Alaina's Bat Mitzvah. Such a cute lady, so charming when we saw her that day, both at the Temple, and at your lovely party.

"

Susan Hall

(Friend)

December 8th, 2012

"Josephine was an inspiration to all she met! "

Peggy Helm

(grandaughter)

December 8th, 2012

"Nana was such an inspiration to all of us! Whenever I told friends about her longevity & how young she looked, they were amazed, especially when I said that she got an IPAD when they first came out for her (102nd??) birthday. When I asked her what her secret was she said it must be the olive oil & the mediterranean diet, plus all the walking to school, plays, etc. in Brooklyn all those years. I'm going to miss practicing Italian with her & watching her pretend to be asleep so that Rosemarie could serve her "breakfast in bed" on her birthday! We are all so fortunate to have known her & I will miss her, but we will always have wonderful & lasting memories."

Gabriella Belloli

(great grandaughter)

December 8th, 2012

" I remember nana as a smart,nice,honest and helpful kind of woman. I will always remember, helping nana set up the table. sitting on the couch on a sunny day watching her favorite soup opera "the young and the restless" and hearing all about her wonderful stories. She had a gentle soul and thought about others before herself. i admired how smart and wise she was. I am proud and will always be proud to call her my great 104 year old grandmother. She will rest in peace."

Mary Albanese

(granddaughter-in-law)

December 8th, 2012

"Nana was a special person who showed us by example how to live with grace and gusto. She delighted in being able to give -- to her students, her friends, and to those of us lucky to be in her family. She was all about the family and was never prouder or happier than when surrounded by the many generations that she brought together. The light she left in us will carry on for a very very long time."

Rosemarie Helm

(Daughter)

December 8th, 2012

"It is still so hard to believe you not here."

paula brotman

(granddaughter)

December 8th, 2012

"Nana, in her black leather skirt at 90.

Nana, turning into a beach girl at 100; blond, tan & wearing pink!

You just gotta love her!!"

Sandra Kowalchuk

(Niece-in-law)

December 9th, 2012

"I was 12 when I met you and came away with the lasting impression of warmth, humor and love. Over the past 56 years, it was always a pleasure to be in your company. My dearest memory is how, at 103, you came to visit my 96 year old mother and help boost up her spirits. What a wonderful woman you have been to all who knew you."

Ed and Esther Meksto

(Friends)

December 9th, 2012

"It was an honor and a joy to have spent so many winters at Sugars Sands with Josephine. She was a role model for all of us! Our fondest memory is of her walking up and down Sugar Sands Blvd. daily, with her lovely smile on her face. She was a truly special human being. Heaven has gained a great soul."

Tom Calogero

(Nephew)

December 9th, 2012

"I have many fond memories of Aunt Jo and I would like to share the last one with you. Just 2 months ago I had the honor to visit her as I was welcomed into Marian & Bill's beautiful Sag Harbor home. It was such a wonderful day - she looked great, had lot's of energy (more than me) and ever so positive. What struck me at first was what a unique person she was. Here she was in the midst of reading a 1000 page book on Afghanistan. Imagine that, still wanting to learn and challenge herself at 104. What a zest for life as also evidenced by her recent refresher course in Italian, making the local newspaper and the summer birthday announcement on TV - such a Celebrity! The impression she left with me that day was her life long passion for learning while always teaching us to live a fuller life. It would be quite a goal to emulate her - she set such a high bar. Leaving her I felt inspired to try and follow in her foot steps.I hope all her friends and family will memorialize her by doing the same. May God bless Aunt Jo and all her loved one's. Aunt Jo's loving Nephew - Tom "

Marie Braccia

(Family Friend)

December 10th, 2012

"Prayers are sent to all of Mrs. Rovitos family...she was an inspiration to the young and old alike....her love of learning permeated every day of her life....she radiated love for her family...her spirit and long life touched so many...a blessing to us all....may she rest in peace."

Rose Sigler

(Friend of Family)

December 10th, 2012

"While I did not personally know Nana well, I knew her very well through my friend, her daughter in-law Mary. Mary loved and respected her and was always sharing how wonderful Nana was to her whole family. She led a long and blessed life and to be sure will be missed by everyone whose life she touched. As for me, I will miss the stories of Nana and the smile it always brought to Mary's face to tell them. God Bless her and her loved ones."

Irene & Ray Cicola

(friend of family)

December 13th, 2012

"Our hearts are broken with the news of Nana's passing. What a beautiful soul who enriched our lives more and more with every passing year. She was an incredible role model, not only for her family, but to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Her humbleness, her beautiful smile and her caring and concern for others were a few of the attributes we will miss. We share in your sorrow now that she is no longer with us but will continue to remember Nana and celebrate her 104 years of life always. "

Alice Oldford

(friend)

December 13th, 2012

"Josephine touched so many lives with her caring, her excitement, her wisdom. What a legacy!"

Tatum Belloli

(great granddaughter )

December 13th, 2012

"Nana was a remarkable women. since i was a little girl, every time she visited, i would crawl up on her bed as she would tell me story's of her life growing up. Whenever i saw her, her spirit was still young. I don't think i ever saw her not smiling. I always feared that her death would soon come, but i never thought it would feel so weird."

Anna Albanese

(Granddaughter-in-law)

December 14th, 2012

"Nana, we will always feel the love and pride you had for us all. How lucky we were to have you in our lives for so long. "

Gabriella Belloli

June 24th, 2013

"Dear nana,I miss you so much , the world is not the same without you. Whenever I see something like chocolate or photo books I think of you. I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I know you are watching from above.

Love,Gabriella Marie Belloli "

Marian & Bill Belloli

June 24th, 2013

"Hi Mom,Our thoughts were with you all day, as they are every day. You were such a valued presence in our lives and were a role model for everyone who was a part of your world. As we are going through your things, we are uncovering so many layers of your personality. We wish you were here to tell us more about the journals and writings, we have found. We know you are looking don on all of us, and we hope we are doing as you would haved wished us to. Love you and miss you. Marian and Bill"

Rosemarie Helm

(Daughter)

June 24th, 2013

"First year in a long time you did not have breakfast in bed with us on your birthday, but we know you were here with us. "

William Belloli

(Grandson)

June 24th, 2013

"I woke up thinking about you today. This was something new, not be able to wish you a happy birthday with a hug and kiss. Thank you for the imprint you left on me and everyone your touched. Its summer time in Sag Harbor and I keep looking for you. I know that you there and everywhere."

Mary Albanese

(granddaughter-in-law)

June 25th, 2013

"What a legacy. What a life! The world is a better place because you were here, Nana. You showed us all how to do it right. We know your love never ends because it is still here. Thank you for giving us all so much of your heart."

Hover your mouse over the wall images to see each guest book entry.

Guest Book (25 entries)

What a legacy. What a life! The world is a better place because you were here, Nana. You showed us all how to do it right. We know your love never ends because it is still here. Thank you for giving us all so much of your heart.

Mary Albanese (granddaughter-in-law)

June 25th, 2013

I woke up thinking about you today. This was something new, not be able to wish you a happy birthday with a hug and kiss. Thank you for the imprint you left on me and everyone your touched. Its summer time in Sag Harbor and I keep looking for you. I know that you there and everywhere.

William Belloli (Grandson)

June 24th, 2013

First year in a long time you did not have breakfast in bed with us on your birthday, but we know you were here with us.

Rosemarie Helm (Daughter)

June 24th, 2013

Hi Mom,Our thoughts were with you all day, as they are every day. You were such a valued presence in our lives and were a role model for everyone who was a part of your world. As we are going through your things, we are uncovering so many layers of your personality. We wish you were here to tell us more about the journals and writings, we have found. We know you are looking don on all of us, and we hope we are doing as you would haved wished us to. Love you and miss you. Marian and Bill

Marian & Bill Belloli

June 24th, 2013

Dear nana,I miss you so much , the world is not the same without you. Whenever I see something like chocolate or photo books I think of you. I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I know you are watching from above.

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Candles

"she was a joy, I feel blessed to have her in my life these many years. Marie Mammano December 12,2012"

marie mammano

December 13th, 2012

"Pierre and I wish to offer you and all your family are sympathy Josaphine was an inspiration for us we will miss her deply"

Suzanne and Pierre Brouillet

December 11th, 2012

"It was a privilege to have known Jo. I, too, was always so amazed at how great she was. I probably will never meet another woman in my life who will be able to command a class like Jo at 90! Her life was so blessed!"

Fran DiSpirito

December 11th, 2012

"A life well lived."

Raymond Helm

December 10th, 2012

"Nana was an inspiration for all who knew her. It's been an honor to know her and a joy to be a part of her family."

Steve Brotman

December 9th, 2012

"So sorry to hear the sad news.She was an inspiration to all."

David Cross

December 9th, 2012

"Winter at Sugar Sands will never be the same. We will miss watching you walk along the boulevard and waving at us or stopping to say hello. You have been our inspiration for many years.We will miss you greatly at our cook-outs. Love Lise and Ray"

lise and ray lachapelle

December 9th, 2012

"She was always an inspiration."

Karen Welch

December 9th, 2012

"Dear Rosemary, Neill and our family would like to express our sympathy to all of you, for the loss of a wonderful, endearing woman. A lovely, vibrant person, and an inspiration to all. We felt honoured to have known her. Sharon/Neill Elliot"

Sharon Elliot

December 9th, 2012

"Billy and i both love and miss you."

Gabriella + Billy Belloli

December 8th, 2012

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